Any recomendations for $500 GPS unit
 

I'm planning a trip around Africa on my 1150GS and I have been reading this GPS forum with great interest - however I'm a little confuced on which GPS to get - I'm going to bite the bullet and spend a few bucks (maybe $500) on a GPS unit, I'll be bringing a laptop with me also, can I get one that will allow me to connect it to by laptop via a USB port, download maps from user communities, enter some waypoints from this forum. Any recomendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Mike

I've been travelling with Gilles (Worldbees - Beekeeping Globetrotter - Globe-trotter Apicole) who uses a Fujitsu Pocket Loox, a PDA with built-in GPS. With a bit of software you cn scan or even photograph paper maps, reference a few points and load them right in. He's very happy with this and I think instead of replacing my slow laptop with a new one I just by this and sell both laptop and GPS.

PDA with GPS can be fun thing if you know computers well and like to play with them, however I don't recommend one for a bike, unless it is a really rugged model (currently means big and bulky). I have used my PDA in car in Africa and it was cool but on motorcycle you'll need something more rugged. Also, PDA is not as bullet- and foolproof as stand-alone GPS. Scanning and calibrating maps takes considerable time and knowledge, too.

My recommendation is Garmin 60CX or 60CSX -- excellent sensitivity and unlimited track logging ability, screen is readable in direct sunlight, waterproof etc. Less bells but always works and is small enough to put in your pocket when leaving your moto.

Garmin 60CX or 60CSX less than $500.-

PDA's with GPS seem to be a love em or hate em sort of thing. I've been running one (Mio P550) for a while now in our family LR Discovery and find it pretty straightforward with TomTom Navigator for UK/Euro routes. My wife isn't a fan though, finds it fiddly to use and generally ignores it - despite buying it for me in the first place!

They are more complicated to set up and fragility for bike use is a serious concern but the upside of being able to run programmes like Ozi Explorer and GPS Tuner with their ability to use your own calibrated maps or even Google Earth photographs does make it worth persevering if you're going beyond EU limits.
I'm just starting to look at on bike pda protection for a west africa trip next winter - anyone got any feedback of using stuff like Otter boxes?

Yup - I've got one - a 1900 with extensions for CF card GPS and external power cable.

I have used it in various conditions and it has been superb. I also got a RAM mount for it but that was not so good as there is too much vibration. Software- wise I've had Tomtom, MemoryMap, OziExplorer and Garmin Que working fine, though the latter is a pain for little gain compared to the others.

Many thanks for all the replies - the 60CSx seems to be the one - being new to GPS - how does this work - if I get a list of waypoints for Africa from fellow travelers on the HUB - how do I load them into the 60CSz ? Can I load non Garmin maps i.e Wanderlust Worldmap ? Thanks

I wouldn't recommend 60CSx
 

These are handheld units, designed for walking. I see it has an optional AC adapter (maybe even comes with unit), but you want a unit you can plug into a 12v cigarette type adapter or hard wired to your bike. Make sure it has this capability, otherwise, what happens after like 8 hours of use and the internal battery dies and you've got 2 hours more to go to the next AC plug.
I may be wrong on this, didn't look at the specifics too much.

Check out something like the 276C.

Lowrance
 

I run a Lowrance Ifinder H2O. this unit is very rugged and extremely waterproof. It takes mmc/sd cards which you can buy preprogrammed or that you can program yourself.

At less than $170 Canadian i think it is an excellent buy.

iFINDER H2O Handheld GPS - Outdoors Products -- Lowrance

Rick

60CX uses power cable similar to 276C. And they do routing on road as 276C. Screen is smaller but on the other hand 276 does not support common microSD memory up to 2 GB as 60CX does, is almost twice as expensive and is quite bulky.